Led Zeppelin's first live album which was the soundtrack to their movie The Song Remains the Same was first released in October of 1976 and then was re-released in November of 2007.
For years, many people complained about this album but the reasons for this and its off-shoot concert film was because of lead singer Robert Plant still being out of commission from injuries in a car crash in 1975 and a lack of a tour to support the band's 1976 highly underrated Presence album (one of their best IMHO).
Guitarist Jimmy Page then flew to New York to mix the live shows, that the band performed in July of 1973 on its Houses Of The Holy Tour at Madison Square Garden, originally done for the 1976 release at Electric Lady Studios with engineer Eddie Kramer. For this 2007 re-issue, the soundtrack was remixed by Page and Kevin Shirley and remastered by Bob Ludwig with phenomenal results.
When I heard that a re-issue was coming with almost full show, I was ecstatic and nervous at the same time.
We begin disc one with a spirited "Rock and Roll" which buries the studio version. Next we segue into "Celebration Day", which was not in the movie but is, a great rocker and even better live. Then we go into a killer version of "Black Dog" (with a teaser of "Bring It On Home"). Next are spirited and excellent previously unearthed versions of "Over the Hills and Far Away" and "Misty Mountain Hop". We follow with the superb rendition of "Since I've Been Loving You" which finally appears on album. Next is "No Quarter" which is a great version showing John Paul Jones was not only a great bass player but great keyboard player as well. Then we follow with a spirited version of "The Song Remains the Same" which buries the studio version by a longshot. We end the first disc with first "The Rain Song" which is actually longer on the album than in the movie but a powerful version. For technical reasons of the CD format, a stellar version of "The Ocean" closes the first disc (although this song was performed last in the encore on the 1973 tour).
The second CD of this re-mixed remaster is a near 30 minute version of "Dazed and Confused" which is somewhat different than the one on the orginal 1976 soundtrack album and is the version found in the film. The violin bow section was the best I ever heard. Also, the jam that goes on is amazing and it ends with a killer Page solo and a killer John Bonham drum solo at the end. We follow with arguably the best version of "Stairway to Heaven" which is 11 minutes of majestic bliss and I can play this repeatingly. Next is a killer version of "Moby Dick" which shows the late Bonzo behind his drum kit playing his heart out at the drum kit and tympani be it with drumsticks or barehanded! We follow with a great version of "Heartbreaker" which is excellent and segues into the powerful closer "Whole Lotta Love" which is the film edit (as it's missing the jam which had some references to the Houses Of The Holy track The Crunge but c'est la vie). The theramin and Plant screaming section was superb with bass player John Paul Jones and Bonzo adding a great riff to it. Then the medley of Boogie Mama was excellent before going back to Whole Lotta Love and ending with Bonzo's literally "flaming gong" bashes.
This re-release of The Song Remains the Same I see more as a fresh look at a classic live album with alternate performances and just as good and at times (better) than the original 1976 soundtrack release.
Recommended!

I should say first of all that I enjoy Led Zeppelin's music but I am not an ardent fan. I first purchased this album back in the late 70's as I am a fan of live albums, at the time I probably only listened to it once or twice and put it away never to be played again. Over the years I have gained an appreciation for excellent musicians and these 4 definately fall into that class.

When I saw this title was going to be remastered and include 6 new songs, I picked up a copy and I must say I was glad I did. The sound on this new version is outstanding and the attention to detail that Page and Shirley did remastering this album is worth every penny. Now I know there are purists out there who claim this to be an abomination as it compilies performances from 3 shows played at the Garden, but I say who cares the sound and quality more than make up for that. Frankly if no one had told me some of these performances were spliced together I would never have known or cared. Everything you need is right there in this mix, the guitar sizzles, the bass and drums are rhythmic and Plants voice is right up front. The 6 new songs included here really round this out to be a terrific album. This is what a remastered album should be. I definately will not play this new album only once.

their seems to be parts of some songs missing it just don't sound the same but worth the money

The Mighty Zep's been around a long time, and if you're like me, even the best music can start to get stale from over-play on the radio. If I never hear the Single version of Stairway to heaven again it will be too soon. That being said - the live versions of old standards on this album are different enough to make them seem great all over again. I never tire of them - even Stairway - and the Whole Lotta Love version on this album is still one of my favorite tracks of all time.

If you're new to Zeppelin (my 15 year old niece loves them) or you've been a fan as long as I have - this album should be a part of your collection. The remastered version has a song or two not on the original.

A good example of the band in their hey day. After viewing the movie of the same title, I can visualize the band as they perform all of their hits. Some of the early as well as the later songs are on these CDs. A good example of the reason they were so popular. Would recommend to any Zepp fans or others who only know of the band by name.